Work Text:
Cady Heron loves routine.
She thrives on it, knowing exactly when and how and why things happen, in the order they do. Routine gives her a sense of control.
Every morning she wakes up at exactly seven, has an easy breakfast, takes a shower that lasts exactly fifteen minutes, brushes her teeth, then gets dressed, then does her hair, feeds her cat, and goes to class. Her days always end at two in the afternoon, at which point she walks to her favorite coffee shop, orders a venti chai, and studies at her table in her corner until seven when she goes home and starts again.
She’s accustomed to it. She likes her routine. It works, it keeps her productive and calm. But every once in a while something new happens and throws a wrench in things.
Like the smoking hot new barista at the coffee shop. She’s tall, and muscular, and whoa. Cady’s so busy staring at her gorgeous chocolate brown eyes and pretty half-dyed hair and cute full cheeks and dark purple lipstick that she doesn’t even hear the barista trying to get her attention.
“Helloooo? Can I get you something? Maybe a water? You’re looking kinda flushed,” the barista says, tilting her head.
“Oh! Sorry,” Cady says frantically, snapping back to reality. She reads the name tag pinned to the barista’s apron. Janis. A good name.
Janis smirks slightly, and dear god she has dimples. “It’s all good. What can I get ya?”
“Uh…” Cady stutters. What’s her order? “A venti… uhm…”
Janis mistakes her stuttering for her order. “Americano?” Cady nods frantically, desperate to get away from this humiliation and this incredibly attractive woman in front of her. “Coming right up. What’s your name?”
“Cady.”
“Nice name. It’ll be about five minutes,” Janis says. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Mmhmm,” Cady squeaks. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Janis smiles gently again and turns around to start making Cady’s order. Cady looks down to hide her blush, taking deep breaths to try and get her heart rate back to normal.
“Thank you,” she says when Janis hands her the cup. Her voice is still a few octaves higher than normal, but Janis just smiles and nods. Cady heads to her usual table and pulls out her book, holding it up in front of her face to hide from the world for a while.
-
Eventually she does calm down, and peeks over the top of her book to find Janis looking at her, almost the way one looks at a cute pet. Cady ducks back into her textbook. Get it together.
She reaches to take a sip of her drink, expecting the soothing herbal flavor of her usual tea. She splutters slightly when she gets a mouthful of boiling hot, bitter espresso instead. Cady’s never been a coffee person.
She pulls it away from her mouth to read it, expecting to see that she’s gotten the wrong order. All she finds is a messy cursive scrawl saying ‘Katie’.
Cady knows she can’t go back and ask for a new drink now, or risk saying something so embarrassing she’ll have to run back to Kenya and hide there forever.
So Cady sips slowly at her coffee, grumbling internally about both the incorrect order and the misspelling of her name. She and Janis continue sneaking little glances at one another every once in a while, but exchange nothing more than a polite smile or flustered blush.
Until it’s time for Cady to leave. She thinks she’s worked up the courage to say something to Janis on her way out. Maybe a thank you for the drink, or a little flirt. Instead, all that comes out when she turns around to see her is, “That’s not how my name is spelled.”
She’s out the door before she can hear Janis calling, “Then how is it-fine. I’ll work it out myself.”
—-
“Hey,” Janis greets when Cady comes in the next afternoon. “Same thing?”
“Uh…” Cady says. She really doesn’t want more coffee, but the words won’t come out. And if she says she hates coffee, would that just upset Janis? What if she takes it personally? And never speaks to Cady again?
So Cady just nods. Janis gives her that ridiculously unfairly adorable smile and turns around to start prepping it. This time she tries to make light conversation as she works. “Come here often?”
“Every day,” Cady says quietly. Janis raises an eyebrow.
“Really? Didn’t some boomer ever tell you to make your own coffee if you ever want to be able to afford a house?”
Cady giggles at that, and takes the paper cup when Janis passes it over. “Thanks.”
“Did I spell it right?” Janis asks, eyes wide and hopeful. Cady checks the cup to see the spelling today. ‘Katy’. She shakes her head. “Damn it. I’ll get it one day.”
Cady giggles again. “You’re closer than yesterday.”
“Hmm. Okay,” Janis hums thoughtfully. Cady smiles and heads over to her table. Janis taps her chin and murmurs, “How many ways can you spell it?”
As it turns out, rather a lot. Over the next few months, Cady sees, ‘Kati’, ‘Katii’, ‘Kaytie’, ‘Kadie’, ‘Katee’, ‘Kayty’, and one day just, ‘how. why. what.’ Janis is relentless, refusing to give up on spelling it properly but also refusing to let Cady tell her how it’s actually spelled.
—-
Cady is thrown for a loop yet again when Janis isn’t there one day. Or the next, or the next, or the next. She tries not to worry. Maybe Janis just took some time off.
Janis looks like hell when she comes back. Her hair is tied up instead of down like it normally is, and her eyes are hollow. Cady misses their usual sparkle.
Even so, she still gives a weak grin when she sees Cady come in. Cady grins back and heads over.
“Hey, Cady,” Janis sighs.
“Hey. Are you… are you okay?” Cady asks sadly. Janis purses her lips and nods.
“For now. I’m not allowed to complain on the clock,” she jokes. Cady pouts. “My girlfriend dumped me. Been moping around my apartment the last couple days.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry,” Cady says. Janis shrugs.
“It is what it is. Not my first heartbreak. You want your usual?”
“Yeah. But you should… you should make yourself something too. My treat,” Cady says. “Whatever you like best.”
Janis smiles at her thankfully. “Thanks, Cady. Uh… I dunno if this would be, like, overstepping at all, but… could I maybe hang out with you? I’m on break in, like, ten minutes.”
“Will you let me tell you how to spell my name?”
“Absolutely not.”
Cady sighs jokingly, pretending to think about it. “I suppose you could.”
“Tits. Here’s your coffee,” Janis says. Cady giggles quietly at her choice of expression and heads over to her table.
“Thanks, Janis.”
-
About fifteen minutes later, Cady looks up to a motion across from her. Janis is standing there, out of her work uniform for the first time Cady’s ever seen. She’s in an oversized jacket instead, and Cady realizes this is also the first time she’s ever seen Janis’ legs. She has to physically force herself to look away from the gorgeous swirly tights and at Janis’ face instead.
“Hey. Mind if I sit?”
Cady shakes her head and moves her supplies so Janis can have some room. Janis rests her iced coffee down and folds her arms on the table. She tilts her head to try to read the cover of Cady’s book upside down.
“Calculus? Woof,” she chuckles.
“That’s what most people say,” Cady replies with a giggle. “But I like it. I wouldn’t have decided to get a PhD in it if I didn’t, I guess.”
“PhD? How old are you?” Janis asks.
“Twenty-three,” Cady says. Janis raises her eyebrows. “Why?”
“You’re younger than me and already on your PhD,” Janis says. “You must be some kind of genius.”
“I don’t know about that. I just got introduced to it early. Not much to do other than study in Kenya.”
Janis chokes on a sip of her drink. “Kenya?”
“I grew up there,” Cady says, handing over a few napkins. “My parents are zoologists.”
“We need to talk more,” Janis chuckles, gratefully taking the napkins and dabbing a few drops of coffee out of her sweater. “Kenya. Man.”
Cady giggles. “I certainly wouldn’t mind talking more. What about you, though? All I know is your name.” And that you’re super hot.
“Oh, uh… not really too much to say, I guess,” Janis shrugs. “I grew up in Evanston, I’m a wannabe artist… I’m a lesbian.”
“I kinda figured,” Cady chuckles at the last one, looking Janis up and down. “I’m bi. If that… matters to you at all.”
“That’s neat,” Janis nods. “You seem cool, I’d always like to know more about you.”
“I’m cool?” Cady asks confusedly. Janis smiles and nudges her foot under their table.
“I think so. You’re definitely mysterious, you’re in here every day and I still barely know anything about you,” she says.
“Huh. I’ve never been cool before,” Cady says. “But you’re an artist? Tell me about that, I’ve never been good at art.”
“I’m trying,” Janis chuckles sardonically. “I got my bachelors in fine arts with an emphasis in painting, and I run a commissions business. But I don’t get… many. So I started working here to make ends meet.”
“Do you have anything I can see?” Cady asks kindly. Janis nods and pulls her phone out of her pocket. Her face falls when she sees her lockscreen.
“One second,” she mumbles, changing it away from a picture of what Cady can only
assume is the recently ex-girlfriend she mentioned earlier. “Here.”
“Whoa,” Cady breathes, looking at the screen. It’s a portrait of someone, but done in a variety of wild colors. “This is incredible, you’re so talented.”
“Thanks,” Janis says shyly.
“Wait, he looks familiar,” Cady says upon taking a second look.
“He works here too, that’s my friend Damian,” Janis says. “You might’ve seen him.”
“Oh yeah! He’s so nice,” Cady says. Janis chuckles and nods.
“He’s a good guy. I’ve known him since we were really young. He actually helped me get hired here.”
“I’m glad you did,” Cady says quietly. Janis smiles at her.
“I am too.”
—————
Janis and Cady continue spending time together over the next few months. Janis still hasn’t spelled Cady’s name properly, and is resorting to increasingly ridiculous attempts. Cady laughs out loud when her cup says ‘Keighdeigh’ one day.
In April, Cady’s exam season rolls around. Janis seems to pick up on her tense vibes and gives her space, but also drops by every now and again with more coffee and little snacks to keep her going. She always says they’re on the house, and smiles back at Cady’s grateful grins every time.
On a Friday, Cady is woken up by a gentle shake to her shoulder. She opens her eyes to see she’s fallen asleep in her textbook. The coffee shop is dark and empty, except for Janis.
“Hey. Uh… you seemed really tired, so I let you get some sleep, but I don’t think I should let you stay there all night,” she says sheepishly. Cady sits bolt upright and frantically checks to make sure she hasn’t been drooling everywhere.
“Oh god, I’m sorry-“
“No, hey, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it, it’s all good,” Janis says soothingly. “Do you have a way home?”
“I can walk, it’s fine, thank you for waking me up,” Cady says frantically, gathering her books and shoving everything in her bag.
“It’s the middle of the night in Chicago, you’re not walking,” Janis says immediately. “I’ll take you.”
“In your truck?”
“Are you saying I drive a truck just because I’m a lesbian?”
“Do you?”
“Shut up,” Janis grumbles sheepishly. Cady laughs.
“You really don’t have to,” she says. “It’s late, you should get home.”
“No offense, but you look easy to kidnap,” Janis replies. “You’re my favorite customer, I’d rather know you’re safe.”
“I guess that’s a fair point,” Cady chuckles. “Thanks, Janis.”
“Of course. This way,” Janis says, leading Cady out the employee exit towards the parking lot. Cady carefully clambers into the passenger seat of Janis’ truck when Janis opens the door for her.
“Nice,” Cady says, looking around. Janis has done little doodle murals all over the dashboard and steering wheel. It’s cozy inside, and smells slightly of pine air freshener and acrylic paint.
“Thanks. You can put your address in,” Janis says, handing her phone over. Cady taps her address into the GPS app and carefully pops it in its holder. Janis starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot. “Okay, I’m ashamed to ask this, but can you give me some hints on how to spell your name?”
“Okay,” Cady giggles. “It starts with a C.”
“C! Fuck, I didn’t even think of C!” Janis yells, drumming her hands on the wheel crankily. “Okay, I’m gonna guess different spellings and you tell me if I’m right. Catie.”
“No.”
“Caty.”
“Nope.”
“Uhm… Ceightie.”
“No! My parents aren’t that crazy,” Cady laughs. “Do you want another hint?”
Janis pouts, but nods.
“Okay. It’s a D, not a T.”
“The fuck?” Janis asks. “Okay… Cadie.”
“No,” Cady giggles.
“Come on, man! Cady.”
“Yes! There you go!”
“Oh my god!” Janis grumbles in relief. “Six fucking months and it’s just Cady. So you’re a Caddy.”
“That’s how everyone reads it, yeah,” Cady nods.
“I’m gonna call you Caddy. Caddy Cat.”
“Okay. I’m gonna call you… Jay.” Cady retaliates. Janis looks at her with a little smile.
“I like it.”
They drive in silence for a while, before Cady speaks up again. She’s gotten to know Janis well over the last few months, she feels it’s safe now. “Okay, can I please tell you something?”
Janis looks at her in concern. “Yeah. Anything.”
“I… I hate coffee!” Cady confesses. “I didn’t mean to order an Americano that first day. I always drink tea but you made me nervous and now I’ve had coffee every day because I didn’t wanna make you upset!”
Janis bursts into hysterical laughter, bending over a little with the force of it. Her laugh is loud; clear and almost brash, but remarkably cute. Cady would very much like to hear more of it. “You-you don’t even like coffee? And you’ve been drinking espresso black every day just to keep me from being upset?”
“I didn’t want you to think it was your fault,” Cady defends. “I’m sure you make good coffee, I just… I hate it so much, it’s so bitter, it makes my tongue sad.”
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. What kind of tea do you usually get? I make good tea too,” Janis continues giggling.
“I usually get chai. But I like most kinds,” Cady mumbles sheepishly.
“You definitely seem like more of a tea person than a coffee person,” Janis says. “You could’ve told me.”
“You could’ve let me tell you my name,” Cady retaliates.
“Fair point,” Janis nods. She pulls into the parking lot when the robotic voice of Siri tells her to. “This it?”
“Yeah. Um… you can… come up? If you want?” Cady asks. “It’s late, you shouldn’t be driving in the dark.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. You took me home, it’s the least I can do,” Cady replies. “Come on.”
-
Janis follows her up to her apartment and looks around. “Nice place.”
“Thanks,” Cady says as she flicks all the lights on. Her cat comes running up to say hello, before moving to investigate Janis.
“Hello,” Janis greets, offering a hand to sniff and some gentle scratches.
“That’s Simba,” Cady chuckles. “She’s not usually so social, she must like you.”
“Simba,” Janis chuckles. “You a Lion King fan?”
“Lion King?” Cady asks, tilting her head in confusion. “What’s that?”
“You’ve never seen The Lion King?” Janis asks in horror. “Where’s your TV? We need to remedy this immediately. Wait, what time is your class tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday. I don’t have class tomorrow,” Cady chuckles.
“Oh yeah. Okay, get over here,” Janis says, snatching the offered remote and signing into Damian’s Disney+ profile on it. He won’t mind. Cady sits next to her and wraps herself in her blanket, looking eagerly at the screen. Simba plops herself on Janis’ lap and apparently decides to watch the movie with them.
—-
By the end of the movie Janis has joined Cady under the blanket and they’re desperately trying to ignore the warmth of the other pressed against them.
“That was awesome!” Cady squeals as the credits roll. Janis laughs from next to her.
“I’m glad you liked it. Why’d you name her Simba if you’d never seen the movie?”
“Simba is Swahili for lion,” Cady says. Janis laughs again.
“I guess Disney isn’t as creative as we thought,” she chuckles.
“Maybe not,” Cady agrees with a chuckle. “Anyway, um… I have an extra toothbrush and stuff in there, I’ll get everything set up for you out here.”
“Thanks, Caddy,” Janis grins, scooping up Simba to bring her along to the restroom. Cady goes to the closet and pulls out her softest blankets and cushiest pillows. Janis comes back from brushing her teeth with her hair braided over her shoulder as Cady is finishing making the coziest little couch nest she can muster. Cady remembers she’ll need pajamas and runs to get a set of sweats that could almost be convinced to fit Janis.
“Man, I’ll have to come over more often if I get this treatment every time,” Janis jokes.
“You can,” Cady says quietly. “If you want to. Anytime.”
“Thanks, Cads,” Janis grins. She gasps quietly as Cady suddenly wraps her in a tight hug, but quickly returns it.
“You give nice hugs,” Cady mumbles into Janis’ shoulder.
“You can have one anytime,” Janis murmurs back, resting her chin on Cady’s head. “If you want.”
Cady nods and gives Janis a little squeeze before she lets go. “Goodnight. If you wake up and need anything you can get it or wake me up.”
Janis nods. “Okay. Sweet dreams.”
“Sweet dreams,” Cady giggles.
—————
Cady wakes up a week later feeling awful.
Her head is pounding with a migraine, her nose is stuffed and itchy, and her throat has an irritating tickle that no amount of coughing can assuage. A check to her weather app confirms her worst suspicions. The pollen count is ridiculously high and after her with a vengeance.
“Ugh,” she grumbles crankily, forcing herself out of bed for a second. Simba still needs food, and she needs some medication. She taps out an email to her professors explaining the situation while she scoops some heinous turkey and salmon mush into her kitty’s food dish. It usually smells awful, but not being able to breathe through her nose comes with the added benefit of not being able to smell the yucky pâté.
Simba digs right in, and Cady pops out a couple of her allergy pills in the meantime. She swallows them desperately and chugs the rest of her glass of water before she trudges back to bed and tries to go back to sleep.
—-
She’s woken up a few hours later by a gentle, rhythmic knock on the door. Cady frowns. She’s not expecting anyone. Maybe she ordered a package and forgot about it again.
She’s surprised to see her friend on the other side.
“Jadis?” Cady sniffles. “Whad are you doing here?”
“You’re usually at the café every day, I wanted to check on you,” Janis says sheepishly. “I figured it must be serious if you didn’t come. You seem pretty attached to your routine.”
Cady sneezes into her elbow a few times. “Das sweed of you. But I’b okay.”
“Are you sure? You don’t look… great,” Janis replies.
“I’b allergic to pollen,” Cady explains. “Id’s really bad today.”
“Oh,” Janis says. Cady can see her relax slightly. “Well, uhm… I brought you soup, would that help at all? I figured you were either sick or sad, so… uh… it’s chicken noodle?”
“I don’ dink dat’ll do very much, but dank you,” Cady chuckles. “You can cobe in if you wand to. I mighd not be gread combany, though.”
Janis shrugs and decides she’ll come in for a little bit. She hands Cady a paper bag with the soup inside, and her usual tea from the shop. Cady grins at her and sniffles a bit.
“Dank you.”
“Of course,” Janis chuckles. She gasps when a furry being suddenly winds around her ankles. “Hello Simbie! How are you?”
Simba purrs as Janis picks her up and scratches her little forehead. Janis follows it up with a few kisses for good measure.
“Hey man, Jadis is supposed to be my best friend,” Cady pouts jokingly, joining in pampering Simba. “You liddle ham.”
Janis chuckles and follows Cady to the couch. Simba is content to stay on her lap and be pet. “I’m your best friend?”
Cady looks at her with a weak smile and nods. She takes a bite of her soup and says, “I dink so.”
“You ‘dink’?” Janis chuckles.
“Shud up,” Cady grumbles. Janis bites her lip to hold back more laughter. “Stob laughing!”
“I’m sorry!” Janis cackles. Her laugh is unfairly adorable. “Your voice is just so cute, and then you’re all congested and can’t pronounce things right, how am I supposed to not laugh?”
“You’re supposed to be nice to be,” Cady huffs with a pout. “Id’s nod fuddy!”
“Yes it is!” Janis insists, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. Cady crosses her arms and turns away crankily. “Aww, Caddy, come on. Don’t be like that, I’m sorry.”
Cady doesn’t react, just continues pouting and refusing to look at Janis. Janis pouts as well and hugs her from behind.
“Please? I’m sorry,” she coaxes. Cady gives a ‘hmph!’ and turns her head the other way. “Caddyyyyy. What can I do to make it better?”
“Stay ober,” Cady mumbles. Janis chuckles and ruffles her messy hair.
“Done. I really am sorry, I didn’t mean it to be mean,” she says. “But I’ll stay. Anything to make my Caddy feel better.”
Cady turns back around with a victorious smile. “Id’s okay. I dow you were jusd teasing.”
Janis bites her lip again and nods. Cady huffs and joins her cuddle session with Simba to watch a movie. Janis takes the opportunity to introduce her to all the princess movies Cady had missed out on.
-
“Dank you,” Cady sniffles after they finish Snow White. “For coming. And staying.”
“Of course,” Janis replies quietly as she pulls Cady just a little bit closer.
—————
Janis comes over more often after that, apparently having taken it upon herself to introduce Cady to every American experience she could’ve possibly missed in Kenya.
Janis also starts hanging out with Cady on her breaks more regularly. Cady is thankful for the opportunity to get to know her new best friend better. She’s also thankful that Janis seems to realize that exams aren’t a good time for chatting and just sits with her in silence, or provides warm caffeinated teas.
-
“Hey Cads!” Janis greets when Cady slugs her way through the door after her last exam of the season. “C’mere, I got something for you.”
Cady tilts her head and heads up to the counter. Janis passes over a cup like normal. Cady takes it and reads it, smiling when she sees the ‘Congrats on finishing hell!’ scrawled on it in Janis’ writing.
“I was fucking around with the machines earlier and came up with this, I want you to try it,” Janis says, looking at her eagerly. Cady raises a suspicious eyebrow and takes a sip.
“Whoa!” Cady says excitedly. “Jan, that’s so good!”
“I think it’s a chai oat milk latte? I’m not really sure,” Janis shrugs. “I’m glad you like it though.”
“I love it! It’s delicious,” Cady says, chugging the rest of it down. “More, I want more. Please.”
Janis laughs and takes the cup back to make her another. Cady watches in confusion as she uses her sharpie to write something else on the cup before going through the process.
“Here you are, my lady,” Janis says, giving Cady her refill. “Both on the house. As a congratulations present.”
“Thanks, Jay. Come find me on your break,” Cady giggles. Janis salutes and watches as Cady heads to her usual table and pulls out a reading book instead of a textbook this time.
Cady sips away at her delightful new beverage as she reads, feeling the stress of the last few weeks slowly dissipating. After about five chapters she remembers that Janis added something to her cup.
‘Stay ‘til closing tonight??’
She looks up and at Janis to find her looking at her hopefully. Cady nods, and Janis smiles widely. Those dimples are gonna be the death of me.
-
Cady continues reading for the rest of the afternoon, watching people filter in and out as they take a temporary stop in the café on whatever journey they’re on. Eventually they stop coming in, and she and Janis are left alone together.
“So what’s up?” Cady asks, packing up her things and approaching Janis at the counter.
Janis seems very nervous suddenly. “Uh… um… I was… I was gonna show you how to, uh… make the thingy. So you can do it yourself, if you-if you want?”
“Why are you so nervous?” Cady teases. “It’s just us here.” On second thought, that makes Cady a little nervous too. “That sounds fun.”
“Cool,” Janis breathes in relief. “C’mere.”
She helps Cady clamber over the counter to the other side and grabs a cup. Cady watches eagerly, excited to be near all the snazzy machines that make her favorite drinks.
Janis helps her with every step, pressed against her back and resting her chin on Cady’s shoulder. Her hands are slightly callused, but soft and warm as they hold Cady’s wrists to guide her through the motions. Cady feels herself growing more tense as the process goes on. Janis is so close she can smell the apple shampoo she uses and feel the warmth of her breath on her neck.
“There,” Janis says once they add the little dusting of nutmeg and cinnamon on top of the foam. “Nicely done.”
“I wanna do more. Show me how to make your favorite,” Cady insists. She actually just wants Janis to hold her again. “More. More more more.”
“My favorite?” Janis asks in confusion. “Why?”
“So I can make it for you!” Cady says like it’s obvious. “When-when you come over. And stuff.”
“You’re cute,” Janis chuckles. “If you insist.”
Cady nods eagerly. Janis gives her a little squeeze bottle and another empty cup. “What’s this?”
“Chocolate. Ganache, technically. Fancy syrup,” Janis explains. Cady turns to look at her and juts out her bottom lip. “You wanna try it?” Cady nods. “Okay, fine. Here. Open.”
Cady opens her mouth and giggles as Janis squeezes a bit of the chocolate into her mouth. “Mmm! Now you.”
Janis does the same, but Cady has to stand on her tippy toes to make it. Janis laughs as she misses a bit and gets some on her chin. “Almost. What do you think?”
“It’s good! I think it’d be really yummy in hot chocolate and stuff!” Cady says happily. Janis smiles and presses back against her.
“Maybe we’ll try that another day. Squeeze a bit in the bottom,” Janis says, guiding Cady’s attention back to the cup. Cady does, covering the bottom in a few inches of it and swirling it around the sides. “Beautiful.”
Cady beams, basking in the praise as Janis takes and sanitizes the top of the bottle. Probably for the best, but Cady misses the comforting pressure of Janis against her back. “Now what?”
“Now coffee,” Janis says, an eager glint in her eye. She prepares some espresso and shows Cady how to add it in. Cady follows her motions and smiles as Janis praises her. “And now some steamed milk.”
“Ooh,” Cady says. “Fancy.”
Janis laughs at that. Cady shivers slightly as the breath tickles her ear. “I usually don’t go for something this fancy. I save it for special occasions.”
“Oh,” Cady squeaks. She’s a special occasion?
“If you want me to fall in love with you add a bit of cinnamon,” Janis murmurs. Cady flushes harder, but Janis doesn’t seem to notice. “Ahem. Anyway, uh… just stir the coffee and chocolate together a little bit and then pour the milk on top.”
Cady does, guided by Janis’ hands like a little puppet. She puts the lid on herself and hands it to Janis to test.
“Perfect,” Janis grins. She holds her cup aloft, and Cady scrambles to grab hers. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” Cady giggles. They both take a large gulp of their respective drinks. “You have a milk mustache.”
Janis crosses her eyes to see it, jutting her lips out in a pout. Cady steps a bit closer, unintentionally pinning Janis against the counter.
“Mind if I get rid of it?” she murmurs, leaning in a bit. Janis has plenty of room to get away if she wants to, but she seems lost in Cady.
“Not at all,” Janis whispers back, so Cady leans in.
Kissing Janis is everything she dreamed it would be and more. Her lips are soft, pillowy, and Cady finds herself really not caring if she smears Janis’ waxy purple lipstick everywhere. Janis tips her head slightly to get a better angle, resting one hand on Cady’s hip and gently cupping her neck with the other. Cady threads her arms around Janis’ waist and rests her hands on the counter behind her, so Janis is totally pinned.
Janis hesitantly swipes her tongue at Cady’s lips, so Cady gently parts them. She can feel Janis’ quiet purr of contentment brush against her cheek as she pulls her closer. Janis tastes like coffee, and chocolate, and something else that Cady can only describe as home.
“Whoa,” Janis whispers when they finally break apart. Cady giggles softly against her lips. “You taste like tea.”
“You taste like coffee,” Cady retaliates quietly, shifting her hands to wind around Janis’ neck and gently playing with the wispy hairs at the nape of it. “I kinda like it.”
“Do you now?” Janis hums with a chuckle, tipping her head down slightly and pressing her forehead against Cady’s. “Thought you hated coffee.”
“You make it nice,” Cady murmurs, staring into Janis’ coffee-brown eyes. “Special.”
“You said I made you nervous when we first met,” Janis says. “Wouldn’t have anything at all to do with this situation?”
“Mayhaps it did,” Cady mumbles embarrassedly. “Not my fault you have dimples. Or that you’re tall and muscular and wear purple lipstick and make really good tea and smell like vanilla and give good hugs and take me home so I don’t get kidnapped and are generally just a really attractive person.”
“Aww, you had a crush on me?” Janis teases.
“Shut up.”
“Takes one to know one,” Janis replies kindly. Cady looks at her in shock.
“Really?”
“Yeah,” Janis chuckles. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t invite all my customers to stay after hours and show them how to make tasty drinks. Or drive them home. Or sleep over at their cute apartment with their cat curled up on my belly.”
“Oh.” Cady says. “Well, this worked out nicely.”
“It sure did,” Janis hums. “Now, do you mind if I get another little taste of your tea?”
“Not at all,” Cady purrs, leaning up to press their lips together again.
————-
Cady is oddly nervous to enter the coffee shop the next day. She’s excited too, but anxious as to how her… friend? Girlfriend? What are they now? Will respond to her after the events of last night.
“Hey, my little coffee bean,” Janis greets when she comes in. Cady flushes, but is luckily the only person present, so she finds herself not really minding.
“Coffee bean?”
“I like coffee a lot, I like you a lot,” Janis replies, leaning on her elbows on the counter between them. “Felt appropriate. Here’s your tea.”
Cady takes it, but the writing on it catches her eye. She turns the cup around slightly to see what it says.
‘Girlfriend??? Maybe?? (please?)’
Cady snaps her head to look at her and is met with Janis’ anxious but adorable half-smile. She rests the cup down and vaults herself over the counter, grabbing Janis’ face and pulling her down into a hungry kiss.
“Yes,” Cady breathes when they finally break apart. “Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”
“Tits,” Janis hums, gently scooping Cady off the ground and resting her on the counter so they’re at almost the same level.
“What if someone comes in?” Cady asks anxiously as Janis holds her around the waist, hands dangerously close to her bum.
“Look at the door, little bean,” Janis chuckles. Cady does, and finds the open sign to be facing her. The shop is closed? “Nobody’s coming.”
“Am I allowed to be here?”
“Eh,” Janis shrugs. “I’ve given enough of my time to this place, and you’re a trusted customer. I think they owe both of us a few favors.”
“Works for me,” Cady says, winding her arms around Janis’ neck and smiling down at her. “You’re really pretty.”
“Thanks,” Janis chuckles, pecking Cady’s lips. “You’re pretty too. I kinda really like you.”
“I kinda really like you too.”
————-
“Hi, baby,” Janis greets as Cady enters the café a few months later. Cady takes her usual cup and leans in for a kiss.
“Hi, mpenzi,” she replies. She lingers against her lips for a brief moment. “Are you closing tonight?” Janis nods. “Can I stay with you?” Another nod. “Okay. Have fun.”
Janis chuckles and waves her off with one more peck. Cady smiles and sits at her table with her book.
-
“What are you scheming, my coffee bean?” Janis asks once the last customer has left and she’s wiping down the countertop. Cady heads around and tenderly removes her apron. Janis smiles but looks confused as Cady pulls it over her own head and ties it behind her back.
“I want to treat you,” Cady replies. “Make you the coffee for once.”
“Alright,” Janis hums. “Do you want me to-“
“No, I got it,” Cady insists, batting Janis’ hands away and trying to remember how to make her favorite. Janis chuckles and continues her closing tasks.
“Okay, okay,” she says, grabbing a mop and heading to clean the floor. “Let me know if you need help.”
“I can do it,” Cady says confidently. She takes the bottle of chocolate and squeezes the proper amount in, plus a little bit extra since her girlfriend loves chocolate. Janis said something while she was teaching her to make this drink that she wants to put to the test. Once the coffee and steamed milk are added, she tops it with whipped cream and calls Janis over. “Okay, come taste.”
Janis returns to her girlfriend, pulling her in for a sweet kiss before she takes the offered cup and tries a sip. “It’s good! Nice job.”
Cady doesn’t say anything, just continues watching to see if she notices the changes. Janis looks back at her and tastes it again.
“You put cinnamon in it,” Janis notices this time. “It’s nice! I like it.”
Cady nods and winds her arms gently around Janis’ neck. Janis tips her head down for a kiss, letting Cady taste the bitter coffee off her lips, mellowed by the sweet chocolate and spice of the cinnamon. “Do you remember what you told me? When you first taught me how to make it?”
Janis thinks back, trying to remember the evening. She remembers being anxious but absolutely loving being pressed against Cady, guiding her small hands around and feeling her comforting weight against her chest. “Uh…”
It hits her suddenly.
“If you want me to fall in love with you add a bit of cinnamon.”
Janis’ eyebrows shoot up her forehead. Cady grins at her. “Did it work?” Janis is silent for a long moment, just blinking at her girlfriend in shock. Cady’s smile fades. Is it too soon? “Janis?”
Janis just cups her jaw and pulls her forwards, slamming her lips against Cady’s so hard she thinks they might bruise. Janis holds her so close, so tight, but so gently.
“Yes,” she whispers when they finally have to separate. “Yes, it worked.”
“Say it?” Cady requests just as quietly.
“I love you,” Janis murmurs, stroking her thumbs over Cady’s cheeks. Cady’s smile returns full force. “I love you so much.”
“I love you,” Cady replies happily. “So much.”
She presses back in again, conveying their new confession without words. Janis happily returns the affections and picks up her girlfriend to level the playing field. Cady squeals happily and clings to her, winding her arms around her neck and pressing somehow closer. Janis steps back until she hits the counter, leaning against it for support as she loses herself in the taste and feeling of her love.
“I think we can continue this better elsewhere,” Cady husks once they pull apart again. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
Janis flushes a truly spectacular shade of scarlet and nods furiously. Cady smirks and kisses her again.
“Then take me home, my love.”
————-
three years later
“Hey, baby,” Janis greets as she returns home from running some errands.
“Hi, my love,” Cady smiles from her spot on the couch.
“I got your tea from our place,” Janis says, handing over a cup. She doesn’t work there anymore, now that she makes enough in commissions to support herself and has Cady to rely on, but it’ll always be a special place to them.
“Thank you,” Cady says, tipping her head up for a kiss. Janis bends over upside down to kiss her sweetly before she pulls away. Cady goes to take a sip without looking at her drink, but clacks her teeth against something that isn’t meant to be there. “Ouch.”
She pulls it away in confusion, and is stunned to see a ring sticking out of the hole in the lid. She turns the cup to read it, and gasps when it says, ‘Wife?’
“Caddy,” Janis murmurs next to her, and Cady gasps again when she sees her on one knee. Janis takes one of her hands, leaving the other for Cady to clap over her mouth to muffle her delighted sobs. “I knew the first day I saw you that you were something special. And now that I’ve gotten to know you, and learn you, and love you, I know that was an understatement. Getting that shitty job is the best thing that ever happened to me, because it gave me you. You’re the chai to my Americano. My sweet little coffee bean. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Cady sobs, resting the cup on the coffee table and pitching herself at Janis. Janis laughs happily as she’s knocked to the rug and covered in kisses. “I love you.”
“I love you too, my little bean,” Janis chuckles. “So much.”
Thank god for coffee.